THE DESERTER.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13939, 24 July 1917, Page 8

THE DESERTER.

FURTHER REFERENCE IN PARLIAMENT.

Reference was made again in the House of Representatives on Wednesday to ihe case of Private Nimot, the Xew Zealand soldier who is alleged to have deserted to the enemy. The Minister of Defence had stated, in answer to a question, that Nimot was reported to be at present a prisoner of war in Germany, and would be tried by court-martial at'the close of the war. Air J. V. Brown (Napier) protested that the reply did not go far enough. The House was entitled to information of a more detailed character.

Mr .1. T. M. Ilornsby (Wairarapa) said ho wished members would cease 0 lira;,' a painful' incident before the House in a way that could serve no useful purpose. Nimot had conic from the Wairarapa district, whore his parcuts were old and respected residents. 'The simple fact was that the lad had not been responsible for his actions when he descried to the enemy. The comrades who had tried to shoot him as he went across to the German'lines, while they deplored his act, admitted frankly that for some time prior to his desertion he had been subjected to a great deal of mi'iijal torture, from the remarks made to him about his German origin. There was definite evidence that Nimot Ijad been irresponsible at the time. If the lad ever came to trial it would be proved by indisputable evidence that he had been deficient and not accountable for his action at the time of the desertion.